Le’Veon Bell Still a No-Show, Won’t Play for Second Straight Week

The Steelers star RB continues his holdout, costing him $1.7 million in lost salary so far.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ “franchise” running back is apparently not fond of the moniker. After being hit with the franchise tag this summer for the second consecutive year, Le’Veon Bell entered into a stubborn contract dispute with the Steelers that has spilled over into the regular season As a result, Bell still has not reported to the team’s headquarters and will miss his second straight week of the 2018 NFL season, Sports Illustrated reports.

Bell’s holdout has cost him at least $1.7 million so far in lost salary. And the cost to the team’s prospects may start adding up as well. Last week, the Steelers only managed a 21–21 tie against the Cleveland Browns—who went winless in 2017—in a lackluster game. Bell had secured his status as a marquee NFL RB last season, gaining 1,291 yards on 321 carries, and scoring nine touchdowns in 15 games.

After missing Week 1, Bell was removed from Steelers’ official depth charts on Tuesday, and there is no indication that his holdout will end anytime soon